He was born Jan. 25, 1943, to Paul and Grace Thornton in Haddonfield, N.J.

He played football through high school in Highland and college.

He was retired from printing sales and had a long history with H&R Block. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army National Guard.

He enjoyed the KU Jayhawks and the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals. He also enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren play sports.

He is survived by his wife, Terry (Teresa); sons, Jay, Kevin and wife, Ashley, and Tyler; his daughters, Beth and husband, Ryan Darst, and Sarah and fiance, Shawn; brothers, David (JoLynn) Thornton, Richard (Jackie) Thornton, and Bob (Norma) Thornton; three grandchildren, David, Adam and Allison; and many nieces, nephews, great nephews, great nieces and friends.

Facebook

No Iframes

About The High Plains Daily Leader

The High Plains Daily Leader and Southwest Daily Times are published Sunday through Friday and reaches homes throughout the Liberal, Kansas retail trade zone. The Leader & Times is the official newspaper of Seward County, USD No. 480, USD No. 483 and the cities of Liberal and Kismet. The Leader & Times is a member of the Liberal Chamber of Commerce, the Kansas Press Association and the Associated Press.

Subscribe

Get the Daily Leader delivered to your home for $101.45 per year in Liberal, or $140 outside Liberal. Call 620-626-0840 for a subscription today. You can receive the print edition or an electronic edition! To subscribe today, email circulation@hpleader.com.